Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving could play for the first time in six weeks Sunday.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers seem to be getting two crucial offensive weapons back and not a moment too soon.
Running back Bucky Irving and wide receiver Chris Godwin each returned to practice, putting them in line to return for the Bucs’ upcoming potential Super Bowl preview against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
The Buccaneers (6-3) have lost two of three and are averaging just 18.3 points per game in that span. They managed just 258 yards of total offense in their 28-23 home loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday.
Godwin has played two games while recovering from his catastrophic broken ankle last season and also while dealing with a fibula injury. He hasn’t played since the Bucs’ 38-35 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 5 and has just six catches for 52 yards this year.
The Bucs still lead the NFC South by 1.5 games over the Carolina Panthers.
Irving (foot/shoulder) has not played since Tampa Bay’s 31-25 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 28 but was the first to come back to practice Wednesday.
The fact he is getting close is great news for the Bucs, since Irving is still third on the team in all-purpose yards (430) even though he’s missed the past five games.
“It was good to have him back out there, and it’s the first step to work his way back,” Bowles said. “He’s going to have to take a hit at some point. I mean, he’s lifting and everything, he’s running, but it’s a progression and we’ll see how he does.
Rachaad White has been filling in as Tampa Bay’s RB1 while Irving has been out, and Tampa Bay has averaged just 80.4 rushing-yards per game over the past five. The Bucs had averaged 124 ground yards per game before Irving’s injury, with the second-year back accounting for a team-high 59.3 rushing yards per game.
Staying balanced is integral to Tampa Bay’s success, especially while playing against the Bills. Buffalo ranks 30th in the NFL in run defense (147.6 rushing-yards against per game), and it just was gashed for 197 rushing yards in its 30-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Godwin is a trickier injury due to the nature of his injury, though Bucs coach Todd Bowles did address Godwin’s ailment Wednesday.
“It’s the fibula,” Bowles said, according to Joe Bucs Fan. “He’s working his way back. He’s making good strides and we’ll continue to work with him and see how he goes.
“He’s running, yes. He’s definitely running. … I wish I could tell you [if it is a pain tolerance issue]. I really do.”
That Godwin was back at practice, and earned a limited distinction, is a good sign based on what Jeremy Fowler reported earlier this week.
“The Bucs are hopeful Godwin will be ready for the stretch run, ensuring he has no setbacks,” Fowler reported, while stating the ninth-year wideout would not play in Buffalo. “There’s some level of mystery surrounding this one, but the team is being careful with him and will see how he responds over the next few weeks.”
The New Orleans Saints got a victory entering their bye week, and the latest AFC news sparks another, different sort of win for them with the week off the football field. A trade they made earlier this year looks like a triumph when it comes to value in the short-term, and potential long-term as well.
According to reports, veteran defensive lineman Khalen Saunders is headed to waivers. The Jaguars released him on Thursday morning. Saunders appeared in just two total games for Jacksonville and totaled three tackles after joining the team in a trade with the Saints.
Losing Erik McCoy was a massive blow to the upside of the Saints offense. That being said, the return in the Saunders trade has actually played well since entering the starting lineup. Via Pro Football Focus, Fortner has recorded a 76.7 overall grade – good for 8th in the NFL at the center position. Additionally, his pass protection has been elite with an 82.7 grade (3rd in the NFL at center).
The top NFL centers in Week 10, according to PFSN’s Player OL Impact Metric ⤵
86.8 | Tanor Bortolini, Colts
83.6 | Drew Dalman, Bears
81.3 | Coleman Shelton, Rams
— PFSN (@PFSN365) November 12, 2025
“Fortner trade was a good and quietly important move for the Saints. Great insurance policy at center and — so far — has kept the offense from cratering the way it has in the past when McCoy got hurt.”
When the deal happened, some fans weren’t happy with trading the veteran defender in Saunders, but it has ultimately made a lot more sense for New Orleans’ side. Saunders’ snaps were going to decrease with the emergence of Bryan Bresee and the presence of Nathan Shepherd.
Plus, the Saints had just invested in rookie DT Vernon Broughton during the draft. He suffered a season-ending injury early in the season, but that was impossible to predict for the Saints. As for Fortner’s role, he provided backup depth at every interior OL position.
Considering how many offensive line injuries the Saints have dealt with this season, that has become vital for them. With him playing well now, it seems like this admission from the Jaguars proves New Orleans made the correct decision in moving on from Saunders.